John Abraham expresses outrage at Rs 2 lakh stylist fees and asks how entourage expenses drain film profits

Bollywood star John Abraham is known for his disciplined lifestyle, straightforward attitude, and no-nonsense approach to filmmaking. But recently, the actor sparked a heated debate in the film industry when he expressed shock over a stylist charging ₹2 lakh for a single session. His remarks have reignited discussions on how exorbitant entourage expenses eat into a film’s budget, often affecting overall profitability.

John, who has built a reputation for being practical with money and preferring minimalism, was visibly frustrated at the sky-high costs of stylists, makeup artists, and other entourage members that actors are expected to maintain. His comments have resonated with many in the industry, shedding light on an issue that has long been whispered about but rarely addressed publicly.

So, how do these behind-the-scenes expenses pile up? And why is an actor like John Abraham, who has been in the industry for over two decades, suddenly calling it out? Let’s take a deeper look.

John Abraham’s Outburst

During a recent industry event, John Abraham was candid about his frustration with unreasonable stylist charges. He reportedly shared an incident where he was quoted ₹2 lakh for a styling session, a fee he found ridiculous and unjustifiable.

"I don’t understand why a stylist needs ₹2 lakh for a few hours of work. If you add up all these unnecessary expenses, it’s no surprise that films struggle to make profits. These charges are completely out of control." – John Abraham

John, who is known for his simple fashion sense (often seen in basic t-shirts and jeans), found it absurd that the industry has normalized such extravagant costs for personal styling. His comments sparked immediate reactions, with many agreeing that entourage expenses have reached unsustainable levels.

What Are Entourage Expenses? How Do They Impact Film Budgets?

In Bollywood, actors and celebrities travel with a full-fledged entourage, which often includes:
✅ Personal stylists
✅ Makeup artists
✅ Hairdressers
✅ Managers
✅ Public relations teams
✅ Personal assistants
✅ Bodyguards

These professionals charge hefty fees, and their costs are often added to the production budget when an actor is working on a film.

How the Costs Add Up

Let’s break down a hypothetical cost structure of a Bollywood star’s entourage per day:

• Stylist – ₹2 lakh
• Makeup artist – ₹1.5 lakh
• Hairdresser – ₹1 lakh
• Personal assistant – ₹50,000
• Security team – ₹3 lakh
• Manager – ₹2 lakh
• Public relations (PR) team – ₹1 lakh

Total estimated entourage cost per day: ₹11 lakh

Now, if a movie’s shoot lasts 60-90 days, the entourage alone can cost between ₹6 to ₹10 crore! This is a staggering figure, especially for mid-budget films, where every rupee counts towards the final profit margin.

How These Costs Drain Film Profits 

John Abraham’s frustration is rooted in a larger issue—the way Bollywood films are increasingly bleeding money due to unnecessary expenses.

Sky-High Production Costs & Entourages

Many Bollywood actors demand their entourage fees be covered by film producers, even though these are personal expenses. This pushes production costs higher, ultimately affecting the profitability of films.

Unfair Burden on Producers

Film producers already invest crores into:

• Actor fees
• Production design
• Special effects
• Location rentals
• Marketing & promotions

When entourage expenses are added on top, it makes filmmaking riskier. If a movie doesn’t perform well at the box office, these extra costs add to financial losses.

Impact on Small & Mid-Budget Films

A big-budget Bollywood film might be able to absorb these costs, but for mid-budget films (₹30-60 crore range), such expenses eat into potential profits. This discourages producers from investing in smaller projects, making it harder for new filmmakers to thrive.

Unnecessary Celebrity Culture

The expectation that every actor must maintain a high-profile entourage creates an unsustainable industry culture. Newcomers and struggling actors feel pressured to hire expensive teams, even if they can’t afford them.

John Abraham’s argument isn’t just about money—it’s about breaking the cycle of unnecessary spending that ultimately affects everyone in Bollywood.

John Abraham’s Approach: Keeping It Simple

Unlike many Bollywood stars who rely on large styling and grooming teams, John Abraham is known for his minimalist approach:
✔ Prefers casual clothing (t-shirts, jeans, sneakers)
✔ Often styles himself without professional stylists
✔ Keeps a lean personal team with only essential staff
✔ Invests his money in production, fitness, and philanthropy, not luxury

John believes that actors don’t need an army of people around them at all times—especially when it directly affects the business of films.

Mixed Opinions on John’s Statement

John Abraham’s outburst on high stylist fees has divided Bollywood. While some industry insiders agree with his point, others feel that styling, grooming, and PR are essential investments for actors.

Support for John’s Views

🎤 Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Actor): “John is right! These costs are unnecessary. We need to rethink how we approach spending in Bollywood.”

🎤 Producer Anurag Kashyap: “Entourage expenses should be the responsibility of the actor, not the producer. John has raised an important issue.”

Opposing Views

🎤 Celebrity Stylist (Anonymous): “People don’t understand the work we put in. Styling is a full-time job, and actors need to look their best in public.”

🎤 PR Consultant: “Actors are brands. Styling and entourage teams help maintain their star power. These expenses are necessary.”

While some actors and producers support John’s stance, others argue that high-profile styling and entourage teams are part of the industry’s image game.

Can Bollywood Reduce Costs?

John Abraham’s comments highlight a larger issue—can Bollywood become more financially responsible? Some possible solutions include:

✅ Actors Taking Responsibility for Their Own Entourage Expenses – Instead of passing costs to producers, actors should pay for personal teams.
✅ Budget Transparency – Filmmakers should set clear limits on non-essential spending.
✅ Hiring Local Talent – Instead of high-end stylists, Bollywood can hire emerging talent at reasonable costs.
✅ Encouraging Minimalism – Actors like John, Nawazuddin, and Rajkummar Rao show that superstar appeal doesn’t depend on lavish entourages.

Conclusion

John Abraham’s reaction to a ₹2 lakh stylist fee is more than just frustration—it’s a wake-up call for the industry. Bollywood must rethink its financial priorities and ensure that money is invested wisely.

With rising film budgets and unpredictable box office performance, it’s time for actors, producers, and filmmakers to work towards a more sustainable model.